Three pounds of meth seized in traffic stop

Police say a “significant” amount of crystal meth destined for the streets of Winnipeg was seized in a traffic stop in Crestview.

Three pounds of crystal meth was found inside a car pulled over by the cops in the 3500-block of Portage Avenue at 11:50 p.m. Sunday.

Investigation led to a search of the vehicle, where cops found the methamphetamine — worth $420,000 on the street.

“It was destined for Winnipeg. It was a large seizure and it will have an impact on the streets,” Winnipeg police spokeswoman Patrol-Sgt. Monica Stothers said Tuesday.

Police didn’t reveal why officers from the district 2 crime unit stopped the car with British Columbia licence plates, occupied by a lone man.

“In cases like this, they would have some kind of investigative reasons for pulling it over, like running a red light,” said Stothers.

Vancouver resident Mohammed Akrawi, 31, is charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of marijuana, and possession of the proceeds of crime. Police said $440 in Canadian cash was seized.

Akrawi is being held behind bars in Winnipeg.

Crystal meth — a highly addictive street drug — is typically sold by the tenth of a gram, called a “point.” The price can vary wildly in Winnipeg depending on supply, according to city police drug investigators. A single point of meth usually costs between $10 and $30 in Winnipeg, but about a year ago, was going for about $50, Winnipeg police said at a news conference in May.